Essential shop insurance cover extensions: Protect more than just your premises

Whether you're a boutique with stock stored off-site, a café with outdoor seating, or a seasonal retailer increasing inventory ahead of a busy period, standard shop insurance might not give you the full protection you need.

That’s where Bira Insurance cover extensions come in - tailored additions to your core shop policy that reflect the realities of modern retail.

Your stock is your livelihood. But what happens if:

• You store excess stock in a nearby unit or warehouse?
• You're transporting goods between suppliers, pop-ups, or seasonal markets?
• You keep high-value items temporarily at an employee’s home?

Stock in transit or at other premises is often excluded from basic policies. A cover extension ensures that even when your goods aren’t physically in your shop, they’re still protected against loss, theft, or damage.

For cafés, bars, and restaurants, offering seating outside the premises boosts footfall—but also risk. From weather damage to third-party injury claims, outdoor areas present insurance challenges.

This cover extension can include:

• Protection for outdoor furniture and fixtures
• Liability for accidents or injuries in designated outdoor areas
• Cover for temporary structures like parasols, awnings, or pop-up stalls

Without this, you might find your insurer unwilling to pay out if a customer trips over a loose chair on the pavement.

Planning for a bumper season? Most policies have a stock limit, but retail trends fluctuate. A holiday rush or special event can mean higher volumes of goods on-site - leaving your stock underinsured when you need protection most.

A seasonal stock uplift extension automatically increases your cover during peak trading periods (e.g. Christmas, Black Friday, summer sales) by a fixed percentage (commonly 25% or 30%), so you don’t have to manually adjust your policy each time.

If you're moving goods between locations—or rely on regular deliveries—a Goods in Transit extension protects stock on the move. This is vital if:

• You operate multiple locations
• You deliver directly to customers
• You collect valuable items yourself

It’s a small addition that prevents major losses from vehicle theft or road accidents.

Business interruption insurance is often included in shop insurance, but with extended cover, you’re protected not just from physical damage (e.g. fire or flood), but also from:

• Denial of access due to local authority actions
• Supplier failure
• Utilities or telecommunications outages

It helps keep your business afloat even when the disruption isn’t directly your fault.